Muttonbird Island located at Coffs Harbour is associated with a dreamtime tale from the moon falling into the sea, and therefore the local Gumbayngirr men and women named it Gittain Mirera. Just the older people could go to the island, where the huge moon-man guardian kept the muttonbirds around the island for those to gather food.

The land and waterways, and the plants and animals that reside in them, feature in every facets of Aboriginal culture as well as recreational, ceremonial, spiritual and as a main food source and medicine. They're connected with dreaming stories and cultural learning that's still handed down today.

Korffs Harbour, as it was originally identified, was named in 1847 after John Korffs, an area timber-getter. The area was officially surveyed in 1861 and it was then that the harbourside town acquired its current name an anglicised version of Korffs.

This parkis situated in Coffs Harbour on the eastern end of to the north breakwall. Coffs Harbour is on the Pacific Highway around half way amid Sydney and Brisbane. To get to Muttonbird Island, go to the harbour via either High Street or Orlando Street, cross the railway line and park close to the Coffs Harbour Sailing Club. A five-hundred metre hike along the breakwater gives accessibility to Muttonbird Island.

Muttonbird Island in Coffs Harbour branches out to one side on the harbour, giving it instant shelter. The island, which is effectively one giant hill, is linked to the land through a breakwall along with the International Marina.

No visit to The Sanctuary Resort Motor Inn Coffs Harbour is done with out a walk to and, if you possibly could handle a fairly steep but short climb, over Muttonbird Island. Simply park at the Fisherman's Co-0p, or Yacht Club carpark.

The stroll features breathtaking coastal and hinterland views. Walk out across the northern breakwall past the marina where the local fishing fleet, and pleasure boats are moored. At the foot of Muttonbird Islandyou can browse the display boards on the local Coffs Harbour history, along with the Nature Reserve.

The paved walk begins with a medium grade, but the views, and interpretive signage on the Muttonbird habitat are worth the effort. Very gorgeous in the early morning with the sun on the marina and banana clad hills.

A board walk has been built on the island to shield the delicate mutton bird burrows whilst making it viewed in its natural environment. .

The walk way throughout the island is approximately 1 km in total and has educational stations located along its course. This island was recognized by the Aboriginal people as Gittain Mirera and legend had it that a Moon Guardian tenderd the mutton birds as foodstuff for the local residents.

Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve offers a up-close peek at the life span cycle of one of Australia's most interesting migratory birds. Wedge-tailed shearwaters, commonly known as muttonbirds, are among the eight shearwater species located in New South Wales and this is the most vital muttonbird site in the state. hotel Coffs Harbour

Muttonbirds travel thousands of kilometres from South-east Asia, returning from their annual northerly migration each August. Some settle at Muttonbird Island, others in the Lord Howe Island group and elsewhere on Australia's east coast. By mid-November, the courtship period is over and birds have paired and mating begins. Thousands of birds travel here to breed each and every year and visitors residing at, or passing through The Sanctuary Resort Motor Inn Coffs Harbour will quickly realize an hour or so on the walking track that winds between their fragile burrows a remarkable adventure.

hotel in Coffs Harbour